2011 Annual Fire Safety Report

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires institutions maintaining on-campus student housing to issue an annual fire safety report. The Nicholls State University Environmental Health and Safety Department is responsible for creating the annual report. The Environmental Health and Safety Department maintains the campus housing fire log and reports fire statistics annually in conjunction with the “Annual Crime Report” that provides information in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Security Crime Statistics Act.

The information contained in this report includes; statistics regarding the number and causes of fire, number of fire injuries and deaths, and the value of property damage. The fire log entry, or an addition to an entry, shall be made within two business days of the receipt of information. The fire log for the most recent 60-day period shall be open to public inspection during normal business hours. Any portion of the log older than 60 days will be available within two business days of a request for public inspection. An electronic version of the Fire Logs and Annual Fire Report can be found at www.nicholls.edu/safety. Information on each on-campus student housing fire safety systems, the number of regular mandatory fire drills, fire safety policies, education programs, as well as plans for any needed fire safety improvements is included.

Fire Statistics:

In 2011, Nicholls State University had three reportable fires. See table below:

Year

Total # of Housing Facility Fires

Cause/Type

# of Injuries

# of Deaths

Property Damage in Dollars

2011

3

See Below

1

0

See Below

Fire Log:

2011

Resident Facilities

Date

Time

Cause/Type of Fire

# of Injuries Requiring Medical Treatment

# of Deaths Related to a Fire

Property Damage in Dollars

Case Number

La Maison Du Bayou

04/07/11

1700 hrs.

Cooking/Grease

1

0

0

2011-04017

La Maison Du Bayou

08/23/11

2020 hrs.

Electrical

0

0

0

La Maison Du Bayou

12/09/11

1722 hrs.

Cooking

0

0

0

2011-00562

Case Number: 2011-04017 On 04/07/11 at approximately 1700 hrs. Nicholls State University Police responded to the La Maison Du-Bayou on-campus apartments with regards to a fire in building #4, room 412. The investigation revealed that a student had attempted to boil water on the front left burner. The student accidentally turned the left rear burner on, where a glass pot of used cooking oil had been left. The oil heated up and caught fire. As the student attempted to remove the pot from the burner, the pot was accidentally dropped. As the glass pot hit the floor and shattered, the fire became extinguished. At the time of the incident, the student reported that she was not hurt and did not need treatment. Later that evening, she experienced trouble breathing and report to the local hospital for precautionary treatment. The student was released without further trouble.

On 08/23/11 at approximately 2020 hrs, Nicholls State University Police responded to the La Maison Du- Bayou on campus apartments with regards to smoke coming from building #2, room 213. Upon arrival, the officer found the kitchen and living room area to be filled with smoke. It was immediately determined that the source of the smoke was coming from an electrical source. The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department was notified and responded. Using thermal cameras and inspecting the area, it was quickly determined that the smoke had come from the microwave oven. The electrical board on the oven had shorted out causing the source. The electrical circuit breaker for the micro wave did trip as designed and prevented further damage.

Case Number: 2011-00562. On 12/09/11 at 1722 hrs. Nicholls University Police responded to the La Maison Du-Bayou on-campus apartments after receiving a call from the local 911 dispatcher that a fire was reported at room 213. The local fire department was notified and responded as well. The fire was out upon arrival. The room attendant explained that the oven had been turned on to cook dinner, and that it was unknown that a plastic plate with bread on it had been left in the oven. Upon seeing the smoke, the oven was immediately turned off, and the fire alarm pulled as the room attendants exited the room. No one was hurt, and the apartment received no damage.

Fire: Any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.

Fire Drill: A supervised practice of a mandatory evacuation of a building for a fire.

Fire-related Injury: Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire. The term person may include students, faculty, staff, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals.

Fire-related Death: Any instance in which a person is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of a fire. Dies within 1 year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.

Fire Safety System: Any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire including-

Sprinkler or other fire extinguishing systems;

Fire detection devices;

Stand-alone smoke alarms;

Devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells, or strobe lights;

Smoke-control and reduction mechanisms;

Fire doors and walls that reduce the spread of a fire.

Value of Property Damage: The estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity, including;

Contents damaged by Fire;

Related damages caused by smoke, water, and overhaul;

Does not include indirect loss.

On-Campus Housing Facilities Fire Safety Systems:

All on-campus housing facilities constructed since 2004 have an active fire monitoring system. These systems include full sprinklers, smoke detectors, audible alarms and strobes. Apartment buildings have additional fire extinguishers located within each kitchen unit. Two of our housing facilities Ellender Hall (1967), and Calecas Hall (1972) have an upgraded fire alarm system that includes monitoring. The remaining two facilities (Babington Halls and Family Housing) do not have active monitoring systems, but have all other fire safety systems consistent with campus housing units. (See Table)

Common kitchens include wet chemical extinguisher units for range tops and ovens, in conjunction with an automatic electrical current disconnect if activated.

Sprinkler and fire pump systems are fully inspected and maintained by an outside certified contractor on an annual basis. Smoke alarms are inspected monthly by residence staff.

Listed in Table form are the Safety Systems in place at each of the University on-campus housing facilities. Facilities include residence halls and on-campus apartment housing.

Residence Halls/Apart.

Sprinkled

Smoke Alarms Single Station not monitored

Smoke Detectors Monitored by Building Fire Alarm System

Fire Extinguisher Devices

Fire Detection Devices

Audible Alarm

Strobe Alarm

Fire Doors

# of Fire Drills each Academic Year

Scholar Hall

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2

Millet Hall

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2

Zeringue Hall

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2

Calecas Hall

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

2

Ellender Hall

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2

South Babington Hall

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

2

North Babington Hall

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

2

La Maison Du Bayou

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

2

Family Housing

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

0

Fire Drills

Mandatory fire drills were conducted at all on-campus housing facilities during 2011. These drills were supervised and were conducted between the hours of 5 PM and 10 PM while the majority of students were present. Fire Drills are conducted once a semester.

Fire Drills are coordinated by the Environmental Health and Safety and the Residence Life Departments. The local Fire Department is notified of all drills and is encouraged to participate and to conduct post drill review. Resident Assistant (RA’s) assists with orderly evacuation of the building, and directs students to the designated Emergency Assembly Area.

Fire Drills were conducted on the following dates during the past year.

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Residence Hall

2/23/11

8/31/11

Ellender Hall

2/24/11

8/31/11

La Maison Du-Bayou

2/23/11

8/31/11

Scholars Hall

2/22/11

8/31/11

Millet Hall

2/24/11

8/30/11

Calecas Hall

2/22/11

8/31/11

Zeringue Hall

2/23/11

8/30/11

Babington Halls

Procedure for Evacuation of On-Campus Housing

All students receive a Housing & Residence Life Handbook when they check into a Nicholls State University on-campus housing facility. Sections in the handbook are relevant to fire safety (see Fire Safety Policy). In the event a fire alarm sounds in an on-campus facility, all residents and guests are expected to immediately evacuate the building through the nearest safe exit. Each facility has a designated Emergency Assembly Area to which all residents and guests are expected to report. A staff member will gather roll-call information along with provided information regarding the whereabouts of other residents. This information will be provided quickly to the reporting authority on scene (Director of Safety, Director of Residence Life, University Police, or First Responder on Scene). All evacuated individuals are not permitted to return to the building until an official “all clear” is issued.

Fire Safety Policy

Each resident receives a copy of the Housing and Residence Life Handbook upon checking into a Nicholls State University on-campus housing facility. The following fire safety procedure is provided to all residents.

Candles:

The possession or burning of candles and tea lights is strictly prohibited in residence halls and apartments, including during a loss of electrical power. If such items are found, the items will be confiscated and the resident(s) will be sanctioned.

Electrical Appliances:

Electrical appliances must be U.L. (Underwriters Laboratories) approved and must not cause a disruption to the electrical circuits or disturb other residents. Students may not use toasters, toaster ovens, stoves, grills, electric frying pans, hot plates, space heaters, or any appliance with open filaments or heating elements in residence hall rooms. All coffeepots and irons must have an automatic shut off feature. The use of halogen lamps and space heaters is prohibited in all residence halls and apartments. If such items are found, the items will be confiscated and the resident(s) may face disciplinary action. Microwaves and mini-refrigerators are provided in suites in Scholars Hall, Millet Hall, and Zeringue Hall. Students in Ellender, Calecas, and Babington may bring and use a small microwave oven and a small mini-refrigerator. The mini-refrigerator must be no larger than 4.5 cubic feet. The use of surge protectors is required. The overloading of electrical circuits is a dangerous fire hazard and therefore not allowed. Electrical appliances and equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The University reserves the right to deny use of any appliance and/or to confiscate any unapproved appliance or appliance used in a manner contrary to University standards.

Fire Alarm Evacuations:

When building alarms sound, residents and guests shall evacuate the building immediately and gather in the designated evacuation location. Upon arrival at the designated evacuation location, the residents must check in with the staff on site to confirm the resident’s presence and safety. Failure to immediately evacuate the building, gather in the designated location, and/or check in with staff on site will result in disciplinary action.

Fire Alarms:

All occupants of a building (residents and guests) must immediately evacuate the building when the fire alarms sound. Students should report immediately to the designated gathering location for the building and report to the Residence Life Staff on site. Upon arrival at the designated evacuation location, the residents must check in with the staff on site to confirm the resident’s presence and safety. Failure to immediately evacuate the building, gather in the designated location, and/or check in with staff on site will result in disciplinary action. The setting of false fire alarms and/or the improper and/or unauthorized use of fire safety equipment (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit signs, etc.) compromises the safety of all residents and is prohibited. Burning any substance and/or setting fires in the housing areas, including lighting candles and/or igniting flyers, decorations, or other posted materials, is not permitted under any circumstances. Violations of fire safety regulations will result in disciplinary action.

Fire Equipment, Alarms and Extinguishers:

In the event a fire extinguisher is discharged in response to a fire, the discharged extinguisher must be reported to the Residence Life Staff immediately to ensure the extinguisher is refilled. Pulling a false fire alarm is a felony. Tampering with fire protection equipment and systems may result in criminal charges in addition to University sanctions. The cost of re-charging discharged extinguishers and replacing damaged equipment maybe split among all residents if the individual(s) involved in discharging or damaging them are not identified. Residents found to be tampering or disabling smoke detectors will be subject to disciplinary action.

Fire Exits:

Fire exits may be used only in cases of emergency. Residents should not exit or enter through any exits other than the designated primary entrance(s) to the building. Use of fire exits at any other time will result in disciplinary action.

Flammable Items:

The possession or burning of incense, candles, fireworks in any form, ammunition, petroleum fuel, motorized vehicles, gasoline-fueled machinery, explosive devices or materials, sterno, kerosene or oil lamps, or any combustible materials are strictly prohibited in residence halls and apartments, even during a loss of electrical power. If such items are found, the items will be confiscated, and the resident(s) will face disciplinary action. For safety reasons, ceilings, air vents, and light fixtures may not be covered by paper or other materials such as wrapping paper, fishnets, parachutes, large flags, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance. Nicholls State accepts no liability for loss of residents’ personal property due to fire.

Smoke-Free/Tobacco Free:

Acknowledging the clear scientific evidence that smoking—including the use of smokeless tobacco products and the effects of second-hand smoke—is injurious to health, and acknowledging the University’s desire to promote healthy living/working environments and a considerate community life, Nicholls State University is a Tobacco Free Campus. Violations may result in disciplinary action.

Fire Safety Education and Training

Staff Training in Fire Safety

Fire safety is a standard component of training for all Head Residents, Resident Assistants, and Student Assistants. This training includes:

evacuation procedures to be followed when/if fire alarms sound

instruction in all designated gathering points outside each residential facility